NALEO: Hispanic Voter Participation Will Increase in 2012

Latinos will turnout in record numbers in the next Presidential election, with at least 12.2 million casting ballots, according to projections released today by the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO) Educational Fund.  This analysis also reveals that Latinos will account for a significant share of the electorate in several states. 

In fact, NALEO states that Latino voters may account for as much as 8.7% of the American electorate in 2012. And Texas is among the states in which the Latino electorate may make a difference in 2012.  According to NALEO, it is expected that in California, New York, and Texas, one out of every five voters will be Hispanic; while in New Mexico, Latinos will comprise 35% of that state's electorate. Ultimately, a 26% increase from 2008's Latino turnout is expected--over 12 million voting across the United States.

Arturo Vargas, NALEO Executive Director stated, “While the Latino vote continues to increase with each Presidential election, much work needs to be done to fully engage Latinos in our country’s electoral process.  In 2008, 19.5 million Latinos were eligible to vote, but half did not cast ballots, because they were not registered or did not turn out.  The Latino electorate must make faster progress if America’s democracy is to thrive.”

And in Texas, this is especially true where only a 17% increase from 2008 is expected--a turnout of a little less that 2 million voters.

Vargas then issued a challenge to candidates in both political parties.

“Both presidential candidates and political parties must actively work to engage Latino voters and address the issues they care about.  This electorate has shown that it cannot be taken for granted by either party.  Campaigns must enhance their strategies to reach all Latino voters, both native-born and naturalized.  Latinos played a key role in the 2008 election; they will determine who is sworn in on January 20, 2013.”

Quite true. And grassroots organizations must also be committed to educating the electorate on issues, candidate stances, and  voting information in the meantime. Although candidates and political parties can be counted on to engage in wars made up of nicely printed mailings and 30 second TV ads, grassroots and netroots organizations, such as Somos Tejanos, have a responsibility to reach voters on a daily basis about the issues that affect their lives. 

We at Somos Tejanos are committed to fulfilling that responsibility, keeping you informed as we go through this process of doing our duty--making informed decisions and voting.

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